Echoes from the Loafers’ Club Meeting

I'm tired. It’s hard getting up at five.

Big deal. I get up before five every day. It's easy.

I was talking about five in the morning.

Oh.

Driving by the Bruces

I have two wonderful neighbors — both named Bruce — who live across the road from each other. Whenever I pass their driveways, thoughts occur to me, such as: everybody is just like you because they think you are just like them.

I’ve learned

Credit should go to those who are willing to take the blame.

We don’t own smartphones. They own us.

If you can’t stand the heat, turn down the thermostat.

Cafe chronicles

I make my wish every spring. I call it my Goldilocks wish. Back when Goldilocks was going through her breaking and entering phase, she found that the Three Bears’ porridge was either too cold, too hot, or just right. The porridge is like our springs. I wish that the spring weather would be just right. It seldom is, but I keep hoping.

At the table of infinite knowledge, one of the seated men whined about his clinic visits. He said that he’d asked the doctor if there was anything that might make him feel better. The doctor replied, "Maybe a telethon."

The friendly waitress highlighted the specials. One was the famed potato salad recipe that everybody had wanted, but the previous owner of the eatery refused to share. When asked, she’d always reply, "You can have that recipe over my dead body." So when she died, she had the potato salad recipe engraved on her tombstone.

A school visit

I had just listened to a young man tell of getting in trouble in school for crowdsourcing a test. In my day, that was called copying from someone else's paper.

I felt his pain. My test papers were always tearable.

The student’s confession reminded me of a poem by Shel Silverstein that goes like this, "Jim copied the answer from Nancy. Sue copied the answer from Jim. Tim copied the answer from Sue and then Anne copied the answer from him. And Fran copied Anne and Jan copied Fran.

The answer kept passing along. And no one got caught, but the problem was Nancy had it wrong."

Old friends in new places

I spoke at some things in Luverne. In the audience was Kerry Boese. Kerry was an intern pastor at Cross of Glory Lutheran Church years ago and was my softball teammate. He now pastors at Hadley Lutheran, Kenneth Lutheran, and Zion Lutheran (Adrian). It was great to see an old and cherished friend. Kerry sent me a note saying that seeing me again was a breath of old but fresh air.

You’re not getting older, you’re getting colder

He accompanied me on a trip I led to Alaska. He was proud of his ancestry, pleased to say, "If it ain’t Dutch, it ain’t much."

I teased him about his inability to remember Alaska’s state flower. It’s the forget-me-not.

He told me that he planned on doing all of his future traveling south of his home. He explained it by saying that as he got older, he got colder.

Did you know?

• One in three of the nation’s counties have more deaths than births.

• The Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index, based on physical and emotional health, lists the top 10 happiest states as 1. North Dakota 2. South Dakota 3. Nebraska 4. Minnesota 5. Montana 6. Vermont 7. Colorado 8. Hawaii 9. Washington 10. Iowa.

• Sternutation is a sneeze or the act of sneezing

Nature notes

"Do hummingbirds migrate in flocks?" They do not. They migrate individually.

"Which field guide to the birds is the best?" They are all good. Browse the field guides available at a library or bookstore. This should help you get a sense of which one would work best for you. I prefer field guides with drawings rather than photographs. Artists use their expertise to help users key in on important field marks. Lighting conditions and differences in the positions of birds could mask important features or emphasize unimportant ones in photos, although the photos are getting better all the time.

Meeting adjourned

Author Jeffrey Marx in "Season of Life: A Football Star, a Boy, a Journey to Manhood," wrote about Gilman High School in Maryland and its highly successful football team. The coaches there have a few unusual rules. No Gilman football player should let another Gilman boy, whether he’s a teammate or not, eat lunch by himself. The players are required to base their thoughts and actions on one simple question, "What can I do for others?"

The year of 2014 was a good basketball year in NRHEG Land. The girls were champs for the second consecutive year in the state of Minnesota Class AA. Senior Carlie Wagner was named the Associated Press Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year. She was the Albert Lea Tribune’s All-Area Girls’ Basketball Player of the Year for the third straight year. She competed at the Minnesota Girls’ Basketball Coaches Association’s All-Star Game at Carleton College in Northfield where she was presented with the Miss Basketball Award.

John Schultz was named the All-Area Girls’ Basketball Coach of the Year. Pat Churchill was named All-Area Boys’ Basketball Coach of the Year (These awards were from the Albert Lea Tribune newspaper.)

Mama Jane Wagner was named Girls’ Basketball Fan of the Year. Grandpa Bud Tollefson was named Boys’ Basketball Fan of the Year. (These awards were from the writer of this column.)

In related NRHEG basketball news: John Schultz announced his retirement. Do you suppose a member of his family will throw her name in the hat as his replacement?

June 6, 7, and 8, 2014 is the 50th annual celebration of Waterville Bullhead Days. As a younger fisherman I attended a few of the annual celebrations.

When Bullhead Days were at their highest popularity, about 100,000 lbs. of bullheads were caught in the area open water annually. The catch is now about 1,000 lbs. annually. Thus you can see how the popularity of bullheads has greatly decreased. Even so, Waterville is still known as the “Bullhead Capital of the World.”

Following are some true or false questions I’m sure you can solve.

1. The Bullhead Capital of the World is Geneva, Minnesota.

2. Neither St. Olaf nor Beaver lake have a bullhead population.

3. Bullheads are stocked in Leech Lake to feed the muskie population.

4. Bullheads have been known to stop at the Hope Tavern for a glass of tap beer on their way from one body of water to another.

5. Bullhead Under Glass is a favorite luncheon meal at the Ellendale and Hartland Café.

6. Bullhead is a happy hour drink at Hartland University, The Willows, and Geneva Bar and Grill.

7. Bullhead is the major part of a John Deere combine.

8. Paul Proft, Owatonna Thrivent Financial agent, will be the 2014 Grand Marshal at Bullhead Days.

9. Nate Hanson, Waseca Prudential agent, will be the 2014 Grand Marshal at Bullhead Days.

10. Jim Lutgens, owner, NRHEG Star Eagle newspaper, will be the 2014 Grand Marshal at Bullhead Days.

Poor Mama Robin, she will be going back to school this fall. It used to be she just had to know how to count to three snows on her back before she could nest. Times are a’changin’ as seen by the late snows last year and this year. It is hoped she can learn to count to six and thus be safe in nesting next year.

If you’re a bit of a bullhead – the answers are all false!

———

Bob is a retired AAL (Aid Association for Lutherans) agent, currently working on his master’s degree in Volunteering. His wife, Genie, is a retired RN, currently working on her doctor’s degree in Volunteering. They have two children, Deb in North Carolina, and Dan in Vermont. Bob says if you enjoy his column, let him know. If you don’t enjoy it, keep on reading, it can get worse. Words of wisdom: There is always room for God.

Although with the weather we’ve had recently, it hasn’t seemed like it, but I think it’s safe to say spring has officially arrived. As far as seasons go, this has always been one of my favorites; I seem to enjoy it more every year (especially now, after the ridiculous winter we’ve had!). As much as I appreciate how beautiful the world is when blanketed in snow, those subzero temperatures were enough to make someone seriously consider moving to a warmer climate. But Minnesota is home; I do want to explore more of the world, but no matter where I go, I know I’ll be back.

This winter has been going on for, what…a year now? Two? That’s what it has felt like, and it’s had this girl impatiently waiting for brighter skies, warmer temperatures, and absolutely no more snow. So as the temperature slowly rises and the world is released from winter’s grasp, I can’t help but feel optimistic, motivated, and restless to start doing more with my life.

Honestly, I’ve been pretty disappointed in myself lately and my lack of progress with all the things I want to do – school, moving out (again), etc. But in perspective, it’s incredible how far I’ve come since this time last year. Despite not being exactly where I thought I would at this age, I’m so much better than I have been.

I have been dealt some pretty tough hands in life; if you’ve read any of my former columns, you know about some of them. From  2010 to 2013, I’ve had to attend the funeral of someone I love: Grandma Millie, 8/22/10; Grandpa Rodney, 7/22/11; Billy Rosas, 6/23/12; and Alex Reeves, 10/25/13. My grandma passed away the day before my 17th birthday; it was a few weeks before my junior year, which was by far the worst year I ever had academically – I went from straight-As and a 4.0 high school GPA to rapidly declining grades and missing an obscene amount of school, and essentially throwing away years of hard work; I regret it and probably always will.

My senior year was no better. Since elementary school, my goal was to be valedictorian of my class, and for a long time it seemed attainable. Until those last two years. The fire that kept me motivated to succeed for so long was gone, and I didn’t know how to get it back. I felt hopeless, insufficient, like I had failed everyone who had come to expect so much more from me. I felt like I already ruined any plans for my future, and I couldn’t see a reason to try any more, so I stopped caring.

Less than a month after graduation, I lost Billy. As much as I loved and missed my grandma, this was one of my best friends and favorite people in the world, and the pain felt unbearable. I couldn’t understand how God could take away such a young, amazing person that I (and many others) loved so much — all I wanted in the world was not to have to feel my heart break whenever I realized I could never see him again. It felt like too much for one person to handle; if I could describe what being broken feels like, that was it.

After that, I spent a long time detached from the world, indulging in self-destructive behaviors, doing whatever I could to run from the world that seemed so cruel and unfair. I didn’t know how to deal with any of it, so I tried to avoid it as long as I possibly could.

Last spring was my turning point; I won’t go into detail, but I will say this: I found out in a very harsh way that you can try and run from your problems, or emotions, or any unpleasant thing in life, but they all catch up to you eventually. We don’t get to control everything in life, but we do have the ability to choose how we deal with things that happen to us; it’s such a simple concept, yet so easily forgotten. After far too long I saw very clearly that I was not coping properly, and it was ruining my life. I didn’t recognize the person I had become; I hated that person, and I finally realized that it wasn’t the world that was making me miserable, it was me, the choices I made. After years of trying to do everything on my own, I finally reached out for help and made some serious, overdue, and necessary changes. And when I lost Alex last October, it didn’t send me into another toxic cycle. I’ve gotten much better at dealing with pain instead of avoiding it and letting it build up. I try to remember that now I’ve got another guardian angel watching over me, and we’ll meet again someday.

Since last year, I’ve worked and learned to become myself again, and I’m starting to realize how strong I really am and what those experiences provided me: proof that I am capable of handling whatever life decides to throw at me.

I wish I could talk to the naïve 16-19-year-old I used to be, with the constant “poor me” attitude and tell her, “Yeah, life sucks. Some people’s lives more than others. But that doesn’t mean that you get to give up and stop trying. You suck it up and keep going, because the world isn’t going to stop just because you’re going through a rough time. It will pass, because it always does, and you’ll become such a stronger person. Stop wasting your time being miserable and use the blows life’s thrown at you as fuel. Go at life with everything you have, because even though it has and often will knock you down, you need to stop letting it keep you down. This is not forever unless you make it that way.”

So instead of feeling bad for myself, and focusing on what I don’t have, I feel gratitude for all that I do have, and I don’t take people or moments for granted; you literally never know when you might lose someone, and trust me, you don’t want to feel the regret of those unspoken words that turn into words you’ll never be able to say.

No matter what I’ve been through, there will always be someone who’s had it worse. And even though the bad times can seem never-ending and unbearable, they pass. Like the world comes back to life after the dead of winter — brown grass changes to bright green, trees bud and grow leaves, flowers bloom, lakes melt, the air is once again filled with birds’ songs and everything is alive with activity – I finally feel like I’ve come back from the slump I was in for far too long. I may not be in school at the moment, and I may not have my own place, but I’ve come so far from where I was a year ago. I can’t wait to chase my dreams, to learn and experience all that life has to offer. I want to make a difference in the world, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to accomplish that.

The scurs discovered a sticky heater control cable on the Weather Eye and promptly doused it with lots of PB Blaster. Stinks in the Gremlin but the scurs will try anything to get some heat generated. Will they get the cable loosened up so we can plant corn soon? Starting Wednesday, mostly sunny with a slight chance of a shower or thunderstorm. Highs near 60 and lows in the upper 30’s. Partly sunny on Thursday with continued slight chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid-50’s and lows in the upper 30’s. Friday, mostly sunny and continued cool with highs in the mid-50’s and lows near 40. Mostly sunny Saturday with highs near 60 and lows in the mid-40’s. Sunday, mostly sunny with highs in the mid-60’s and lows in the upper 40’s. Mostly sunny on Monday with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid-60’s and lows near 50. Mostly cloudy Tuesday with an increasing chance of rain. Highs in the upper 60’s and lows in the low 50’s. The normal high for May 17th is 70 and the normal low is 49. Will the scurs be basking in the sun by the ceement pond next week? Stay tuned.

The Full Moon for the month occurs on Wednesday the 14th. It is generally known as the Full Flower Moon as May is famous for its flowers following the April showers. It also goes by Full Milk Moon and the Full Corn Planting Moon. (believe that one when we see it) The Ojibwe called this the Blossom Moon and the Sioux the Moon When Ponies Shed. It is definitely the Moon When Border Collies Shed at the ranch although that could be said about almost any month.

Progress was finally made again toward corn planting early last week although it was short-lived. Fields in many cases were marginally fit but the calendar date is taking its toll. As of May 12th corn that was planted April 26th had germinated with a coleoptile about 1 ¼” long and radicle roughly 1 ½” long. A few more warm days and it will emerge. Emergence for corn generally takes somewhere from 90 – 120 GDD’s. Some soybeans were also planted by those who had the manpower and fields ready to go. Soybeans are somewhat forgiving although extended periods of wet feet are never a good thing for soybeans. Some are starting to get antsy and nervous and one can’t blame them. Still reports on Monday of ice being found in tile lines. After the spring we had last year, another year of late planting is getting on everyone’s nerves.

Trees were planted at the ranch on Thursday night hoping that would help slow the rains. Usually it stops raining immediately and we have two months of drought. Didn’t work as we had over 1.5” within 4 days of planting. Oh well, at least the bunnies chewed some of them up already.  Past tree plantings continue to reward our efforts. The nannyberries now provide great cover for the orioles as they dart to and fro. The spruce and arborvitae are favorite nesting spots for the robins and chipping sparrows. While not fun to mow around the amount of snow they catch, makes it well worth the time.

The lawn mowing season got underway at the ranch over the weekend. Whitey is still on the DL but Howard and Little Whitey both answered the bell. Surprisingly, they started without hesitation. Even though the oil needed changing on Little Whitey, they were both in midseason form. The lawn itself was uneven and patchy but it was good to go over it once to even it out. That way the next time parts won’t need baling. Once finished it certainly looked more well groomed. 

It helps to have hobbies to keep one’s mind off the weather, which you can’t do anything about anyway. That’s one of the reasons I like watching the birds. After a watershed week last year, I figured this week would be a letdown. Far from it. In addition to being able to watch last week’s newcomers, there were new visitors. About an hour after press time on the 6th, our first oriole was at the jelly feeder. He must’ve told the goldfinches there was plenty to eat as they suddenly showed up in force. The first hummingbird was spotted here on the 8th. That night the toads could be heard adding their trilling to the loud music of the chorus frogs. Then it was like the bird flood gates were opened. On the 11th, we had an orchard oriole, a catbird, chipping sparrows, an indigo bunting and heard our first house wren singing from the plum thicket. A cardinal added his color and whistling spring song as well. Hard to remember a spring when the birds have arrived so close together or the yard being such a blur of color.

Speaking of memory, I don’t think Fudgie forgets much of anything. When an egg is cracked open in the kitchen she gets very fidgety as I’m sure she was the beneficiary of many baked goods over the 10 years Mom had her. Hearing the sound of eggs cracking was likely only the beginning of the process. Fudgie has that same reaction when I’m loading up to feed the birds. The noises she makes in anticipation of the trip outside are downright comical. Ruby is simply just ready to launch once a door is opened. She also uses her toenails like a sprinter. The little puncture marks Ruby leaves in the soil remind me of the track spikes worn in days of old. I keep telling myself I still have that kind of energy; just have to pace myself a little more.

See you next week…real good then.

Michael Sam was an All-American defensive player for the University of Missouri this past season. He was reportedly a team leader and respected by his coaches and teammates. One would think that would be an easy ticket into the NFL.

Wait a minute, though. Michael Sam has also come out as being gay. Suddenly, whether they admit it or not, NFL teams are looking at him in a different way as they contemplate the draft. Is his talent worth the media scrutiny that will come with having the first openly-gay player on an NFL team? Will the team sell more tickets, or will people not come to that team’s games because of it?

It’s really too bad that in 2014 we even have to ask these questions. Will a player help you win games? That is the only question that should matter outside of legal issues that could hinder the player’s progress.

When I was attending college in Winona, I distinctly remember sitting in the cafeteria with a group of friends when a gay rights organization was holding a peaceful demonstration outside. One of my friends grew angry and said that if he had his shotgun, he would be sorely tempted to use it. Looking back, I’m embarrassed by my initial response to this, laughing and going along with this hatred.

Let’s get the religion card off the table right away. My regular readers know that I’m not going to go along with, “The Bible says it’s wrong,” since I’ve referenced other rules the Bible lists which most of us don’t follow. The Bible also says to love thy neighbor as thyself, so I’ll choose that route.

I know some people who are homosexual, and I can’t think of any way that they are not upstanding citizens. Most of the people I know are former students. It’s really too bad that these people didn’t feel comfortable coming out while they were still here. Unfortunately, they were probably aware of the response they would get from too many people.

Every year, when my 8th graders work on persuasive writing, we work through some debate topics, trying to get kids to look at both sides of an issue. One of those topics in recent years has been gay rights. Many students respond negatively, bashing and hating on a group of people in large part because they’re uncomfortable with the concept. Listen, it’s not like I would be really comfortable either if I saw two homosexuals in an embrace, but I’m not overly comfortable watching two straight people in that situation either.

One of my stars this year, however, started her persuasive paper on gay rights this way: “Black people don’t deserve to be equal to us. They shouldn’t have the same rights. Now doesn’t that sound like something that should’ve been heard fifty years ago? It’s outdated and insensitive. That’s how people sound when they talk against same-sex couples.” I was floored by this great introduction to a well-written paper and am gratified she allowed me to use this quote this week.

And it’s perfectly stated! People in earlier times DID discriminate against other races (still do, unfortunately) and against women as well. Homosexuals are just the next group that in 50 years, we’ll look back and wonder why.

The producers of the hit ABC series Modern Family were ecstatic when gay marriage was approved in California because it meant they could hold a wedding for two of their main characters. That wedding will air this week and next week and be a major step on television in having people accept gay people as equals. Certainly, stars like Ellen DeGeneres have paved the way, and hopefully we are near a time when it’s not a big deal when someone who is gay is part of something big.

As to Michael Sam, the St. Louis Rams drafted him in the 7th round. Hopefully, within a few years, we’ll talk about Michael Sam, the football player, instead of Michael Sam, the gay football player.

Word of the Week: This week’s word is quiff, which means a tuft of hair brushed up above the forehead, as in, “The football player couldn’t wear a quiff during the season since his helmet always flattened it.” Impress your friends and confuse your enemies!

LeRoy Vernon Sutlief, 88, of Owatonna, died Wednesday, May 14, 2014 at Koda Living Community. 

He was born January 27, 1926 in New Richland, Minnesota to William and Ida (Kraude) Sutlief. LeRoy was baptized on April 11, 1926 at First Congregational Church in New Richland and was confirmed on June 1, 1941 at St Peter’s Lutheran Church, New Richland. On March 12, 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, serving in the Aleutian Islands during World War II. On February 15, 1948, he married Alice Neumann at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in New Richland. In 1950, they moved to Albert Lea where LeRoy worked for Concrete Minnesota as a truck driver. Upon retirement in 1998, they moved to Rochester and to Owatonna in 2013.

Arlene B. Hagen, 71, of Oakland, Nebraska, passed away, Monday May 12, 2014, at the Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. Memorial service is Saturday, May 17, 2014, at 10 a.m., at the First United Methodist Church in Oakland. Visitation is Friday, 5-8 p.m., with family receiving friends at Pelan Funeral Home Oakland. Burial will be at Oakland Cemetery, Oakland, NE. Memorials should be directed to the family.

Harriet Valborg (Johnson) Anderson, age 98, of Faribault, passed away peacefully on Mother's Day morning, Sunday, May 11, 2014 at Keystone Communities, Eagan.

Funeral services will be at St. Luke's Church, Faribault, on Sunday, May 18, 2014 at 3:30 p.m. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services at St. Luke's Church on Sunday.

Arrangements are being completed by the Boldt Funeral Home, Faribault.

I hope that the people of New Richland know how fortunate they are to have a library in town. I wish there was one in every small town; even a casual place to bring one’s already-read book for others to read while you read theirs.

Having been brought up in the generation of book lovers, it should be no surprise that my mother is drawn to books like metal to magnets. Having no experience with electronic books, (maybe because she still enjoys turning the pages and the feel of a book), she admits to being a book fanatic. I used to enjoy reading books too, but since my bout with encephalitis I find it difficult to remember a great deal of what I read in books.

I knew the locals in New Richland had been working hard investing time and dollars into enlarging their library, but I hadn't had the opportunity to visit the newly renovated building. I was amazed!

Truth is, I was drawn there by the one and only Al Batt, who presented and signed copies of his first published book, "A Life Gone to the Birds.” I must admit — he is my favorite author. I read everything he writes! He boggles my mind with the many things that come out of his mind.

Hearing him speak with intelligence and laughter was enough to take away any aches and pains or tiredness of the day. It was time well spent. Granted, the book was ror the birds — no pun intended — but little things called home and family and the territory we live in often come to the surface and somehow tells you who we are and how we have become this way. 

It is a challenge I would give to every individual: write about their story with the insight of good, bad, old and new that makes one’s life what it is.

The crowd assembled because they wanted to be there. They knew this man would not disappoint them. There was hardly room for more people and hopefully it is an incentive for Al Batt to share more of his stories.

There was coffee and cider, and the delicious bars that could only have come from favorite cookbooks. It was served by those who are always there with a helping hand.  

Recently I had written a story about observation of crows by my uncle Paul Hanson, and set it aside for something more appropriate at the time. Ironically, attending Al Batt's book signing, I found there were others who are interested in crows too.

My uncle Paul was a wise old bird. He always said that he disagreed with the choice of naming the loon our state’s bird. We may love that big, clumsy, black and white featured creature. It can glide for seemingly forever underwater but has all the characteristics of a handicap when it tries to walk on dry land. The loon is the most handsome of the diving birds and their loud screams can sometimes be heard echoing over the lakes at night.

A typical "snow bird" is a loon heads south for the winter before the ice freezes and comes back north again when the ice is gone. They like only the finest, clearest lakes where they can find the freshest food available as they feed chiefly on fish. Love them? Of course I do, because that call of theirs vibrates across the quiet so distinctive and mournful sounding, it makes your heart beat a little faster. For many years the loons stopped over on St. Olaf Lake until the speedboats became such a big feature on the lake.

Uncle Paul used to say he felt there was a better representative than the loon for our state – “in the crow." Laugh if you would, but I think he may have been right. Like the hearty Minnesotan, the crow sticks around come hot summer, cold winter or deluge of wind, rain, sleet or snow. I don't know if that is smart or not, but they most certainly are helpful because in their quest for survival, they clean up road kill and garbage that's edible, adapting to the environment, making do with what is there.

My grandpa Hanson used to tell how the crows would follow his planter when he was planting corn and would pull up seeds and later the sprouting corn and eat them. They also eat young birds and eggs. Unlike the loon, the crow has strong feet that are well adapted for walking.

That distinguishable “caw” of the crow lets you know they are alive and well, and all is right with the world.  Highly intelligent, they are a natural insecticide and rodent remover. Crows do help farmers by eating insects. Scientists estimate that an old crow on an average farm will eat 19 bushels of insects in a single season. They also have a reputation for playing tricks on other birds, animals and human beings, all seemingly for the fun of it. A trader, the crow loves bright and shiny things and is known to leave a rock in place of an item, as if in trade. 

Not the most popular bird, for whatever reason many treat him as the proverbial bad boy. For this reason he is shot at, trapped, poisoned, cursed and belittled, but he ignores it as best he can and may respond in a mockery of his tormentors with his loud caw.

There are many stories to tell that "the old crows" are almost human-like in their trickery. I remember one crow picking up a mangled dead snake, which he didn't want but laid it out in tempting splendor for an owl or hawk to pick up. Mission accomplished -- another bird took the bait, and the crow and his flock took off in pursuit, cawing all the way. I laughed and laughed; this is some humor in the animal world! 

Isn't there a little bit of "crow" personality in all of us? That's maybe why Paul thought they represented us better than any other bird.

If someone refers to you as an "old crow" say thank you, and remind them that the crow is not just a big black bird, he is really a hearty, intelligent bird with personality and ability. Like Minnesotans, crows are also social animals; they stick together. Isn't that a good lesson for all of us? The crow is truly worthy to represent the hard working pioneers and people who live here. And like the crow, that is why we live here!

Some of our Star Eagle readers have commented they like to read about events such as family and school reunions, birthdays and anniversaries, and birth and wedding announcements. In order to read about these important things we need our faithful readers to pass along the information to us. Also if you have an idea for a story that you think would be of interest to our readers, please contact me. 

If you have birthdays and anniversaries you would like include, or news to share please contact me via e-mail, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.; by postal mail, P.O. Box 192, Geneva, MN 56035 or telephone, 507-256-4405.

This week’s birthdays and anniversaries include:

• Thursday, May 8th: Grace Carol Jean Riskedahl, her 2nd; Olivia Kay Smith, her 8th; Kristina Follien, Marguerite Christensen Nelson, Ronald Wangsness, Elizabeth Bremer, Sandy Neubauer

• Friday, May 9th: Elli Pearl Baker, Aidan Jeffrey Schlaak, his 9th; John Jensen, Sue Pence, Jake Simmons, Julie Haroldson, Sue Hohansee, Audrey Horan, Karol Carroll, Nijole Aaseth, Rachelle Doran, Carolyn Greer, Karla Kelly, Jerry Westrum, Jill (Ottesen) & Cam Kehne

• Saturday, May 10th: Tari (Walterman) Erickson, Ryan Callahan, Tina Nelson, Steve Nielsen, Christine Ingvaldson, Dave Oeljenbrun, Mary Wilker, Brody Johnson, Mark & Sara Misgen, Rande & Jamie Nelson

• Sunday, May 11th: Michaela Ann Hanielton, Jaxon Edward Beavens and Parker Reese Beavens, their 8th; Carol Cromwell Cox, Ed Haberman, Krista Hanson, Troy Janka, Daniel Robertson, Robert Vaith, Loretta Schewe, Scott & Shannon Pacholl

• Monday, May 12th: Richie Robinson, Dorothy Jensen, Larry & Jean Klocek

• Tuesday, May 13th: Brooklyn Christine DuBois, her 11th; David Richards, Rose Glienke, Troy Donahue, Curt Esplan, John Nechanicky, Holly Pence, Tracy Swearingen, Larry Schmidt, Reed Thostenson, Rose Glienke, Alan & Kathy Knudson, John & Barbara

• Wednesday, May 14th: Clair Dahl, Linda Olson, Anna Mae Peterson, her 9th; Katie Peterson, Ginger Thompson, Bruce Waage, Brad Wayne, Judy VerHey, Mark VerHey, Jeff Christensen, Shannon Krikava

Here's hoping that your special day brings you laughter, a light heart and much love.

The scurs keep tinkering with the Gremlin Weather Eye, hoping they will find the “Plant Corn” setting. The 180-degree Studebaker thermostat is still in the box and if things don’t change pretty soon, they may use it. Starting Wednesday, mostly cloudy with an increasing chance for showers and thunderstorms by evening. Highs in the low 70’s and lows in the upper 50’s. Thursday, mostly cloudy with a good chance for showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid-70’s and lows in the upper 40’s. Partly cloudy and cooler with a slight chance of s morning shower. Highs near 60 and lows in the mid-40’s. Mostly sunny on Saturday with a slight chance for showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid-60’s and lows in the upper 40’s. Partly sunny and warmer Sunday with an increasing chance of a shower or thunderstorm. Highs in the upper 60’s with lows near 55. Mostly cloudy on Monday with a good chance for showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid-60’s with lows in the upper 40’s. Mostly cloudy for Tuesday with highs near 65 and lows in the mid-40’s. The normal high for May 10th is 68 and the normal low is 46. On the 10th we will see 14 hours and 30 minutes of daylight, the same as we saw last August 3rd. The scurs are wishing we could import some August temperatures while we’re at it. Something to work on this next week.

Another disappointing week of spring in slow motion. Rainfall in town totaled 2.85” and 2.72” at the ranch from Sunday the 27th - May 2nd. Soil conditions were unfit for tillage and planting operations and cool, cloudy weather only made for more frustration. Corn planted April 26th was swollen as of May 5th but had not germinated. Cold conditions since planting have been the primary reason. A record low high of 39 was recorded at the SROC in Waseca on April 30th. Since May 1 they have only calculated 11.5 GDD and 20 GDD since April 26th. For that same timeframe we should have seen close to 60. Weed growth also reflects the cool temps. Giant and common ragweeds are still tiny as are lambsquarters seedlings. 

Believe it or not there are some positives. Recent rains should have helped alleviate any remaining frost left in the ground. While frost was still reported in places at 3’ – 4’ on May 5th, it is becoming softer. Corn planted on May 15th still has at least 95% of the potential yield and soybeans suffer no loss until later in the month, not to mention making them less apt to be affected by SDS. While we may not be planting into ideal soil conditions we may have to opt for what Betsy’s dad terms as “acceptable.”

At the ranch, the pasture continues to produce just enough to support a handful of ewes. It will soon be time to wean at the earliest lambs and put their mothers on grass. The fence at the kindly neighbors’ was put back up after the winter ravages. Chores suddenly become much simpler after weaning is accomplished so warmer temps would definitely be welcome. We’re not draining the garden hose after filling the water tank and buckets anymore so at least it’s a moral victory.

The face of the bird population at the ranch keeps changing albeit slowly. A brown thrasher (a feathered version of Jimmy Page) arrived on May 2nd. White-throated sparrows added background vocals. May 3rd, wood ducks were back for the second year in a row checking out a canker in the silver maple tree. Apparently the cavity is still not deep enough to make it worth their time. A rose-breasted grosbeak was after the sunflower seed on the 4th as a grackle tried to dissuade him. That same night at dusk, it appeared the first pair of barn swallows occupied the granary, their favorite nesting spot. On May 5th, a Harris’s sparrow was spotted in the early evening and, on the morning of May 6th ,a white-crowned sparrow. Add to that the reappearance of a handful of goldfinches and it has definitely been more colorful. Orioles have already been spotted in areas so it’s only a matter of time.

Fudgie and Ruby have done their best to provide nesting material for the birds. The sunlight shone on Ruby as she walked across the floor, revealing a cloud of hairs. Sort of reminded us of the Pigpen character from Peanuts. Fudgie had been brushed before although she was up to another round. After some coaxing and plenty of elbow grease, the yard once again looked like two dogs had exploded. The breezes and birds soon made their fur a memory, except for the fur stuck on my jacket and in my mouth. 

Vista’s noted Swedish astronomer made a surprise visit the other day, regaling us with tales of the evening skies once again. Jupiter can still be seen in the western sky, and as the month progresses it will be lower with each passing night. Mars is very red and getting higher in the sky, becoming closer to its zenith at 10 o’clock CDPT (Central Dog Potty Time). Saturn is touted to be the planet to watch for the summer months. It rises about sunset and remains visible for the duration of darkness. As Dale Niedfeldt points out in his column, it takes a telescope of at least 30 power to see the brilliant colors of Saturn’s rings. One doesn’t need nearly that much magnification to see how brilliant Vista’s noted Swedish astronomer is.

See you next week…real good then.